Latest news with #SolarEclipse
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
US could require up to $15,000 bonds for some tourist visas under pilot program
Tourists look at the Horseshoe Falls, ahead of the Solar Eclipse that will take place across parts of the United States and Canada on April 8, at Niagara Falls, New York, U.S., April 5, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. could require bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business visas under a pilot program launching in two weeks, a government notice said on Monday, an effort that aims to crack down on visitors who overstay their visas. The program gives U.S. consular officers the discretion to impose bonds on visitors from countries with high rates of visa overstays, according to a Federal Register notice. Bonds could also be applied to people coming from countries where screening and vetting information is deemed insufficient, the notice said. President Donald Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration a focus of his presidency, boosting resources to secure the border and arresting people in the U.S. illegally. He issued a travel ban in June that fully or partially blocks citizens of 19 nations from entering the U.S. on national security grounds. Trump's immigration policies have led some visitors to skip travel to the United States. Transatlantic airfares dropped to rates last seen before the COVID-19 pandemic in May and travel from Canada and Mexico to the U.S. fell by 20% year-over-year. Effective August 20, the new visa program will last for approximately a year, the government notice officers will have three options for visa applicants subjected to the bonds: $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, but will generally be expected to require at least $10,000, it said. The funds will be returned to travelers if they depart in accordance with the terms of their visas, the notice said. A similar pilot program was launched in November 2020 during the last months of Trump's first term in office, but it was not fully implemented due to the drop in global travel associated with the pandemic, the notice said. The State Department was unable to estimate the number of visa applicants who could be affected by the change. Many of the countries targeted by Trump's travel ban also have high rates of visa overstays, including Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Myanmar and Yemen. U.S. Travel Association, which represents major tourism-related companies, estimated the "scope of the visa bond pilot program appears to be limited, with an estimated 2,000 applicants affected, most likely from only a few countries with relatively low travel volume to the United States." Numerous countries in Africa, including Burundi, Djibouti and Togo also had high overstay rates, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data from fiscal year 2023. A provision in a sweeping spending package passed in the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress in July also created a $250 "visa integrity fee" for anyone approved for a non-immigrant visa that could potentially be reimbursable for those who comply with visa rules. The $250 fee goes into effect on October 1. U.S. Travel said that fee could hinder travel and said "if implemented, the U.S. will have one of, if not the highest, visitor visa fees in the world." (Reporting by Ted Hesson and David Shepardson; Editing by Helen Popper and Stephen Coates)
Time of India
7 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Solar Eclipse today? Here's when US will witness the total and partial eclipses
No Eclipse Over America on August 2, 2025 Live Events Will the Aug. 2, 2027 solar eclipse be visible in the US? Next Solar Eclipse Set for September 21, 2025 Mark the Calendar: August 12, 2026 – A Total Solar Eclipse What Exactly is a Partial Solar Eclipse? Frequency of Solar Eclipses Globally Next Total Lunar Eclipse: September 7, 2025 Schedule of Eclipses in 2026 February 17, 2026: Annular solar eclipse visible from Antarctica. Partial visibility in Africa, South America, and surrounding oceans. March 3, 2026: Total lunar eclipse visible in Asia, Australia, and the Americas. August 12, 2026: Total solar eclipse visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Russia. Partial views in Europe, Africa, and parts of North America. August 28, 2026: Partial lunar eclipse observable from North and South America, as well as sections of Europe and Africa. Where and How to Watch a Solar Eclipse Safely FAQs Is there a solar eclipse happening on August 2, 2025? What has NASA said about the August 2 eclipse claim? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Despite an uptick in viral videos and trending posts claiming a "once-in-a-century" celestial event on Saturday, August 2, 2025, there is no solar eclipse visible from the United States on that date, astronomers and official agencies false information, spreading widely on platforms like TikTok and X, has prompted authorities, including NASA and the U.S. Naval Observatory to clarify that no such eclipse is scheduled for this day. Enthusiasts hoping to witness a cosmic spectacle will have to wait a little longer, as the solar eclipse frenzy today appears to be a result of recent buzz around a potential solar eclipse in the U.S. on August 2 has no factual backing. NASA's official eclipse calendar confirms that no eclipse, partial, annular, or total, is occurring anywhere across North America on this to social media chatter, the skies will remain unaffected by any celestial shadow today. According to astronomers, even the usual sunset this evening will remain the only natural dimming to NASA, a total solar eclipse is anticipated on August 2, 2027, with its peak duration reaching approximately 6 minutes and 23 seconds. During this rare celestial event, the moon will align precisely between the Earth and the sun, casting a complete shadow over parts of the Earth. This eclipse is projected to be one of the longest of its kind in recent decades.A partial solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Maine between 5:14 and 5:19 a.m. ET on Aug. 2, 2027, according to Time and there is no solar eclipse August 2 2025 event, skywatchers can look forward to a partial solar eclipse on September 21, 2025. This eclipse, however, will not be visible in North expected to enjoy views of the September eclipse include Eastern Australia, parts of Antarctica, New Zealand, and several Pacific islands. The event is expected to treat viewers to a crescent-shaped sun as the moon partially obscures those based in North America, the real spectacle arrives in August 2026. On August 12, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a narrow region in Portugal. A partial eclipse will be visible from broader regions, including Europe, Africa, and parts of North projections suggest that states such as California might miss out on even the partial view. Those keen to witness the phenomenon in full might consider traveling to regions along the eclipse path.A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun but doesn't align perfectly. This misalignment causes only a portion of the sun to be obscured. According to NASA, observers will see the sun appearing as a glowing crescent instead of a full a total eclipse, the sky doesn't darken significantly, but the phenomenon remains visually captivating for those equipped with the right have questioned the rarity of such events due to the 'once-in-a-century' claims circulating online. However, solar eclipses are more common than many to Astronomy Magazine and NASA's long-term projections, there are at least two solar eclipses every year, varying between total, partial, and annular. In some years, as many as three different solar eclipses may occur across the addition to solar events, lunar eclipses, when the Earth comes between the sun and moon, remain popular among amateur astronomers. The next total lunar eclipse is scheduled for September 7, 2025, and it will be visible across Europe, Africa, Asia, and those in the U.S. will have to wait until March 3, 2026, for the next total lunar eclipse visible from American those planning ahead, NASA and the U.S. Naval Observatory have outlined the following major celestial events in 2026:When a solar eclipse is underway, whether total or partial, it is crucial to observe it safely. According to NASA, ordinary sunglasses do not offer adequate protection. Instead, eclipse glasses, compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard, should be one must never look directly at the sun through a telescope, binoculars, or camera lens unless a certified solar filter is in place. The focused rays can severely damage the retina even through eclipse glasses if magnification devices are used there is no solar eclipse, partial, total, or annular, occurring on August 2, 2025, anywhere in North America or the world. This has been confirmed by NASA and the U.S. Naval has clarified that no eclipse of any kind is occurring on August 2, 2025. Their official eclipse calendar lists no solar or lunar events visible from the U.S. on that date.
Economic Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Sydney Sweeney's controversial ad campaign draws Trump's attention, he says 'advertising a very funny thing'
AP US President Donald Trump was asked about the Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle's ad by Newsmax anchor Rob Finnerty The ongoing controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad has garnered a lot of attention online. Sweeney, 27, and American Eagle faced backlash earlier this week after the blonde-haired, blue-eyed 'White Lotus' starlet appeared in a new denim ad for the popular clothing and accessories retailer. It sparked a debate over race and Western beauty President Donald Trump was asked about the Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle's ad by Newsmax anchor Rob Finnerty. Trump was asked about the highly contested advertisement in a bizarre question that ended with the president going on a rant about transgender actress Dylan Mulvaney and his own experience with advertising, reports The Irish Star. ALSO READ: Social Security eyes massive reform in US: New policy could hit 3.4 million Americans this month "Your administration has been very open about the fact that American women are not having enough babies," the Newsmax anchor began his perplexing line of questioning. "There was an ad this week. Sydney Sweeney, an actress, was in an ad for Blue Jeans. The ad is doing very well. It's very popular. The jeans are sold out," he went on before asking, "Does America need to see more ads like that? And maybe fewer ads with people like Dylan Mulvaney on the cover?" ALSO READ: Solar Eclipse on August 2 in US? What NASA has said on world going dark for 6 minutes Trump took the bait and went on a rant about the Bud Light campaign. He said, "The Dylan Mulvaney ad was perhaps the most unsuccessful ad in history. It knocked 35 million dollars off the value of a certain company. You know what I'm talking about. That was one of the great disasters of all time. I would say it was probably the most unsuccessful ad, worst ad ever." He continued, "You know, advertising is a very funny thing. I've done ads where I thought they were lousy and they turned out to be iconic, and then I've done some that I thought were beauties that were gonna be fantastic, and they weren't so good, so to each his own. But the Dylan Mulvaney ad was a total disaster." The Newsmax anchor paired the question with an onscreen banner that read, "Trump ends the era of woke."ALSO READ: 'Rage Against The Regime' protests: Over 300 US cities hosting anti-Trump demonstrations today on JD Vance's birthday. Full list American Eagle is standing by its controversial ad campaign featuring Sydney Sweeney, which includes various commercials with the tagline: 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.' The campaign has been criticized for promoting eugenics with its tagline, "Sydney Sweeney has good jeans," which many interpreted as a white supremacist dog whistle. ''Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans' is and always was about the jeans,' the company said Friday in a statement obtained by The Post. 'Her jeans. Her story.' 'We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way,' the statement continued. 'Great jeans look good on everyone.''I have great jeans… now you can too,' the 'Euphoria' actress wrote on Instagram on July 23, alongside a video for the controversial campaign. But some social media users compared the marketing move to "Nazi propaganda". ALSO READ: Stimulus payments August 2025: These US states will receive financial benefit. Do you qualify? 'I thought it was gonna be, like, kinda bad, but wow,' one critic wrote on TikTok. 'That's gonna be in history books!' 'I will be the friend that's too woke, but those Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ads are weird,' another added. 'Like, fascist weird. Like Nazi propaganda weird.' Singers Lizzo, 37, and Doja Cat, 29, also took to social media to ridicule Sweeney and American Eagle over the controversy. 'My jeans are black…' the 'Truth Hurts' singer wrote alongside a digitally altered picture showing herself in the denim shirt and jeans that Sweeney wore for the American Eagle photo shoot. Doja Cat shared a TikTok video of herself repeating Sweeney's American Eagle campaign monologue with an exaggerated accent. American Eagle appeared to distance itself from the 'Nazi propaganda' backlash by sharing other ads from the campaign that did not feature Sweeney.'Denim on denim on denim… on denim,' the company wrote alongside the new ad on July 27. 'AE has great jeans.' Plus, American Eagle's stock rose more than 10% immediately after the new campaign kicked off on July 23.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Science
- Time of India
August 2 Solar Eclipse 2025: Is the century's longest Surya Grahan today? All you need to know
A solar eclipse, also known in India as Surya Grahan, is a rare and spectacular astronomical event. It occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow over certain areas of the Earth. This shadow blocks the sunlight either completely (total solar eclipse) or partially (partial eclipse), depending on how closely the Sun, Moon, and Earth align. Solar eclipses don't happen often because the Moon's orbit is tilted in comparison to the Earth's path around the Sun. These alignments, known as eclipse seasons, occur twice a year. During this period, it may suddenly become dark for a few minutes even during the day. Religious Significance of Surya Grahan in India In Indian culture, a Surya Grahan is more than just a scientific occurrence—it holds spiritual and religious importance. Many people consider it an inauspicious time. Common traditions include: Avoid food and drink during the eclipse period. Expecting pregnant women to stay indoors and take extra precautions. Taking a bath after the eclipse ends is part of spiritual cleansing. Temples remain closed throughout the eclipse period. Will There Be a Solar Eclipse on August 2, 2025? No, there will be no solar or lunar eclipse on 2 August 2025. This means there is no Surya Grahan on this date, despite some confusion spreading online. So, there's no need to observe any religious rituals or precautions. However, eclipse watchers and sky enthusiasts can look forward to a major solar eclipse on 2 August 2027, which is predicted to be the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century. It will last nearly 6 minutes, completely blocking sunlight in specific parts of the world. When is the Next Solar Eclipse in 2025? The second solar eclipse of 2025 will take place on the night of 21 September 2025. Here are the key date and time details: Start Time: 11:00 PM (Indian Standard Time) End Time: 3:23 AM on 22 September This eclipse will be visible in countries like New Zealand, Fiji, Antarctica, and certain areas in Australia. Unfortunately, the solar eclipse will not be visible in India, so the Sutak period—a time of religious observance before an eclipse—will not apply. This will be a partial solar eclipse and coincides with Ashwin Amavasya, a no-moon day according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Where Will the August 2, 2027 Total Solar Eclipse Be Visible? The solar eclipse on 2 August 2027 will be fully visible (total eclipse) across parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. According to NASA and National Eclipse, countries that fall under the path of totality include: Somalia Saudi Arabia Gibraltar Spain Algeria Morocco Tunisia Sudan Libya Egypt Yemen These areas will experience a complete blackout of the Sun, making it a breathtaking moment for anyone in the region. Upcoming Solar Eclipses After 2025 Here's a quick glance at the upcoming solar eclipses to look out for after 2025: 21 September 2025: Partial eclipse visible in Australia, Antarctica, and parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. 17 February 2026: Annular solar eclipse visible in Antarctica; partial eclipse viewable from multiple continents and oceans. 12 August 2026: Total solar eclipse visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and parts of Portugal. 2 August 2027: A Highly anticipated total solar eclipse will be visible across North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. To summarise, there is no solar eclipse or Surya Grahan on 2 August 2025. However, a partial solar eclipse will occur in September 2025, though not visible in India. The most exciting event is the 2 August 2027 solar eclipse, which is set to be the longest Surya Grahan of the century Keep following for updates on the Solar Eclipse 2025 date and time, and plan ahead if you wish to travel and witness this remarkable event in person! To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Economic Times
01-08-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
August 2 Solar Eclipse Rumors: Six minutes of darkness set for 2025 or 2027? Here's fact check and NASA's statement
Agencies August 2 Solar Eclipse Rumors: NASA clarifies the date of the next total solar eclipse, which will happen on August 2, 2027, not 2025, as many social media posts claimed. August 2 Solar Eclipse rumors have spread online. The total Solar Eclipse is set for 2025 or 2027? This is what NASA's statement says about upcoming six minutes of darkness. Confusion spread on social media over claims that a total solar eclipse would take place on August 2, 2025. NASA has clarified that no such event will happen that year. Instead, the total eclipse is scheduled for August 2, 2027. It is expected to be a major astronomical event, visible in several users on social media claimed a total solar eclipse would happen on August 2, 2025. These claims gained traction online. NASA, however, issued clarification that the total eclipse will happen on August 2, 2027, not 2025. This 2027 event is being referred to as the "Eclipse of the Century" due to its wide visibility. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun. This alignment blocks some or all of the Sun's light. A solar eclipse only happens during the new moon phase. The event offers a chance to observe the Sun's outer atmosphere, called the corona. Scientists also use eclipses to study the Sun's magnetic field and other solar activities. Also Read: Is Venmo and Paypal down today? Live updates on outage, user impact and alternative payment options There are four main types of solar eclipses: Total Solar Eclipse: The Moon fully blocks the Sun, revealing the Sun's corona. The Moon fully blocks the Sun, revealing the Sun's corona. Annular Solar Eclipse: The Moon appears smaller than the Sun, forming a ring of light. The Moon appears smaller than the Sun, forming a ring of light. Partial Solar Eclipse: The Moon blocks only part of the Sun. The Moon blocks only part of the Sun. Hybrid Solar Eclipse: A rare eclipse that looks total in some places and annular in others. According to NASA, the next solar eclipse in 2025 will be a partial one. It will occur on September 21, 2025. This eclipse will be visible in Australia, Antarctica, and parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. There is no total solar eclipse in 2025. An annular eclipse will occur on February 17, 2026. It will be visible in Antarctica. A partial eclipse on the same date will be seen in parts of Africa, South America, and oceans. Another total solar eclipse will happen on August 12, 2026. Countries that will witness the total eclipse include Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, and Russia. A partial eclipse will be seen in parts of Europe, Africa, North America, and nearby oceans. Also Read: Gary Busey Guilty: Did he actually try to undo bra of a woman at Monster-Mania Convention 2022? See what happened The confirmed total solar eclipse will take place on August 2, 2027. Countries where it will be visible include: Algeria British Indian Ocean Territory Egypt Gibraltar Libya Morocco Saudi Arabia Somalia Spain Sudan Tunisia Yemen Afghanistan Other countries will observe a partial eclipse on that has shared safety tips for those planning to view future solar eclipses: Check Local Times: Confirm eclipse timings for your area using NASA's website. Confirm eclipse timings for your area using NASA's website. Use Safe Viewing Tools: Wear certified solar viewing glasses or use handheld solar viewers. Wear certified solar viewing glasses or use handheld solar viewers. Find a Clear Spot: Choose a location without tall buildings or trees to block the view. Choose a location without tall buildings or trees to block the view. Capture the Moment: Photos and videos can help you remember the event. Will there be a total solar eclipse on August 2, 2025? No, NASA confirmed there is no total solar eclipse on August 2, 2025. That date applies to the 2027 total eclipse. Which countries will see the August 2, 2027, total eclipse? Countries include Algeria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Libya, Yemen, and others. Partial eclipse will be visible in more regions.
